Montana HB404: Require official action to release Montana national guard to active duty combat

What the bill says

A bill for an act requiring an official congressional declaration or action to release the montana national guard to active combat duty; providing powers of the governor regarding the montana national guard; providing definitions; and providing an immediate effective date.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT REQUIRING AN OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OR ACTION TO RELEASE THE MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD TO ACTIVE COMBAT DUTY; PROVIDING POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR REGARDING THE MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Short title. [Sections 1 through 4] may be cited as the "Defend the Guard Act". NEW SECTION. Section 2. Definitions. As used in [sections 1 through 4], the following definitions apply: (1) "Actions pursuant to Article I, section 8, clause 15" means actions explicitly taken by the United States congress to call forth the militia (b) suppress insurrections; or (c) repel invasions. (2) "Active duty combat" means performing one or more of the following services in the active - 1 - Authorized Print Version - HB **** 69th Legislature 2025 HB 404.1 federal military of the United (b) performance of a hazardous service relating to an armed conflict in a foreign state; or (c) performance of a duty through an instrumentality of war. (3) "Instrumentality of war" means any tool, equipment, technology, or personnel, including Montana national guard personnel, specifically employed in support of or directly engaged in armed conflict or military operations, including noncombat-related support elements. (4) "Official declaration of war" means an official …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Deming, Lee (R, 54) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 20, 2025: (H) Died in Process
2. March 12, 2025: (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
3. March 5, 2025: (H) 2nd Reading
4. March 5, 2025: (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
5. March 4, 2025: (H) Committee Report
6. March 4, 2025: (H) Committee Executive Action
7. March 3, 2025: (H) Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading
8. February 28, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
9. February 26, 2025: (H) Hearing
10. February 26, 2025: (H) Sponsor Rebuttal to Fiscal Note Printed

Votes

• Do Pass (March 5, 2025): 41 yea, 57 nay, failed
• Cloture-Sullivan (March 5, 2025): 92 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Cloture-Duram (March 5, 2025): 49 yea, 47 nay, passed
• Take From Energy to Second Reading - Deming (March 3, 2025): 44 yea, 54 nay, failed

Common questions

What is HB404?

HB404 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Require official action to release Montana national guard to active duty combat.

What does HB404 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act requiring an official congressional declaration or action to release the montana national guard to active combat duty; providing powers of the governor regarding the montana national guard; providing definitions; and providing an immediate effective date.".

What is the status of HB404?

Failed as of May 20, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025).

Who sponsored HB404?

Deming, Lee (R, 54).

Where is the official record for HB404?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0892